page revision date : Sunday 28th june 2009
Ryan’s still in the swim after three decades
One of the reasons that Milford Haven Leisure Centre has for providing a warm welcome is undoubtedly the involvement of Ryan Hackett, who started out as a lifeguard at the swimming pool as soon as he left school and now, some 32 years on, is one of the Duty Officers who look after the public.
This was very much in evidence when we popped in for a chat with Ryan after he had finished an eight-hour shift but stayed on to help a disabled member of the public use the hoist which would ensure she could use the swimming pool – and then came back to us with a typical smile on his face.
Ryan is very much a Milford Haven boy born and bred and the only time he has worked away from his town was a two-year stint at Tenby Leisure Centre.
“It was good there,” says Ryan, “but I didn’t know everyone there, like I do in Milford, and when I had the chance to come back here I jumped at the chance – and it is brilliant here because the staff are all local, with Sian Fair as manager and with Tracey Parkes and Caroline Cooper we have a combined experience of almost 100 years. We know our customers so well that it must help, mustn’t it?”
Lifeguard start in 1976 and swimming success
When he started out in 1976 there was no leisure centre, just the swimming pool, and he particularly enjoyed the summer shifts at the outdoor pool on The Rath.
“On a hot day we couldn’t have any more in the water and local schools’ swimming sports days were something to behold. I had taken part in them with the old Milford Haven Central School and I was West Wales Champion in the 800 metres in a time of nine minutes and 50 seconds and represented Wales at Plymouth. That was 32 lengths of our pool and it was really hard work. Mind you, I was a lot slimmer and fitter in those days but I can still swim quickly – although over a shorter distance now!”
Ryan was also a founder member of the Milford Haven Water Polo Club and started out as goalkeeper before switching to forward because James Walters was so good between the posts.
“We use to take on Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Llanelli and other clubs further up the line and I thoroughly enjoyed the physicality of the game in those days. You had to be fit and I used the strength I had built up swimming the 800 metres.”
Coaching a pleasure
Ryan coached the Milford Haven Swimming Squad for four years and still helps Tracey Parks now, when he is needed because it is a huge commitment for one person. He still assists poolside at the leisure centre now when he is required and says that seeing someone learn to swim is very satisfying indeed.
“I particularly love working with adults who for some reason never learnt to swim as kids, and some even go on to learn advanced stroke technique with me. I find that breast-stroke is the one that adult learners like to try since they can manage it at first with their heads out of the water. But all they need is a bit of confidence once they know they can swim and we can teach them that breathing is fundamental to swimming well and really enjoying it as a leisure activity.
“I have taught almost every age in my time and currently have a couple of ladies who are 60-plus – and we will soon have then swimming well, with just a little more confidence in themselves.”
I also coach youngsters with special needs and behavioural support groups – and these are perhaps more challenging but are rewarding just the swim when you see the look on the face of someone who has just discovered they can swim.”
White knuckle roller-coaster rider and other sports
Outside of his work, Ryan is a committed member of the British Roller Coaster Club because he has always enjoyed the adrenalin surge from ‘white-knuckle’ rides and travelled all over the world in search of the highest, fastest, most spectacular roller coaster rides there are. He has tried every one there is in Briton from Oakwood to Alton Towers and also travelled with friends to places like Las Vegas, Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, across Europe and even to Japan. He is soon off on another trek to find even more exciting roller-coaster rides, covering nine US states in two weeks from Washington DC to Los Angeles and on to Toronto, with 15 theme parks in only seven days on one part of the trip that might prove a little manic to you or me!
As well as his involvement with water sports, Ryan also played badminton for the county when he was younger and has been a keen skier after starting out many years ago on a school trip organised by Steve Holmes. Ryan went skiing 23 years in a row but hasn’t been for a little while now because of his focus on roller-coasters.
Lock-in at the leisure centre!
Back at the leisure centre, Ryan would admit that whilst things generally go well he has had the odd ‘moment’ where things haven’t gone quite to plan. Like the time, many years ago, when he was working the late shift and locked up at 10.30 before nipping up to his local for a deserved pint – and at 11.15 received a phone call from the police to say that the alarm had gone off. Back Ryan trudged to the sports centre and tucked nicely inside the main doors were six people he had managed to lock in a changing room that he thought had gone home. Luckily, they saw the funny side of the matter and hooted with laughter at Ryan’s apologies because they fully understood how it could have happened – and he learned a lesson that night which he has never forgotten in the intervening years!
No thoughts of retirement
Now a youthful-looking 49 years of age, Ryan has no thoughts of retiring since he enjoys being involved there.
“We have a great bunch of regular supporters and the bowls crowd typify the way things are at Milford Haven Leisure Centre. They are a bright and breezy bunch and enjoy using the facilities we have to the full. Many of the world’s top players have played there and I have been lucky to become friends with our local bowling fraternity.”
Chat to Ryan Hackett for a short while and it is easy to see the enthusiasm he still has for his work and we came away from Milford Haven Leisure Centre knowing it is in safe hands with the likes of Ryan Hackett heavily involved!
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